Automatic device for presenting bags onto a bagging machine previous to the closing of said bags

ABSTRACT

An automatic apparatus and method for guiding and controlling bags to be filled, and then removed to and properly presented to a bag-closing apparatus in a plant for packing bulk products into the bags. Opening movable spout shells permits the dumping of the bulk products into the bag, while keeping the bag hanging and gripped against fixed jaws. A movable pressing device then comes back to a horizontal position in front of the bag, and grips it against a fixed pressing device. A pair of retractors keep the bag open during the fall of the bag onto a conveyor beneath the loading machine, which conveyor then moves the bag along between fixed slides. The bag may then be automatically presented to a bag-closing machine, such as a sewing machine.

United States Patent Chevalier July 29, 1975 [54] AUTOMATIC DEVICE FOR PRESENTING 3,241,290 3/1966 lngleson et al 53/371 BAGS ONTO A BAGGING MACHINE f z orne e a. PREVOUS To THE CLOSING 0F SAID 3,676,977 7/1-972 Rothmann et a1. 53/188 x BAGS [75] Inventor: Marcel Chevalier, Uriage, France Primary ExaminerTravis S. McGehee Assistant Examiner-Horace M. Culver [73] Assignee. Etabllssements M. Chapals, France Attorney, g or Firm ]rving M weiner [22] Filed: Apr. 2, 1973 21] App]. No.2 347,167 1 1 ABSTRACT An automatic apparatus and method for guiding and [30] Foreign Application Priority Data controlling bags to be filled, and then removed to and properly presented to a bag-closing apparatus in a May 12, 1972 France 72.177-34 plant for packing bulk products into the bags Opening movable spout shells permits the dumping of the bulk [52] U.S. Cl. 53/266, 53/39, 55331337715 products into the bag while keeping the bag hanging B65b 06 and gripped against fixed jaws. A movable pressing de- [51] Int. Cl 39 1/90 4 vice then comes back to a horizontal position in from [58] Field of g of the bag, and grips it against a fixed pressing device. 53/371 A pair of retractors keep the bag open during the fall 0f the bag onto a conveyor beneath the loading ma- [561 References cued chine, which conveyor then moves the bag along be- UNITED STATES PATENTS tween fixed slides. The bag may then be automatically 2,037,200 4/1936 Rosmait 53/139 X presented to. a bag-closing machine, such as a sewing 2,514,620 7/1950 Ashe 53/139 X machine. 2,732,988 1/1956 Feinstein 53/268 X 3,167,897 2/1965 Hopkins et a1 53/139 Claims, 6 Drawing Flgures PATENTED JUL 2 9 I975 SHEET Fig-7 PATENTEB JUL 2 9 I975 SHEET PATENTED 3,896,605

SHEET 4 Pia-f AUTOMATIC DEVICE FOR PRESENTING BAGS ONTO A BAGGING MACHINE PREVIOUS TO THE CLOSING OF SAID BAGS The present invention relates to an apparatus for guiding and controlling a flexible container to be filled, and'then moved to and properly presented to another apparatus for a subsequent operation, and to a method of utilizing such apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to an automatic device intended to present bags correctly when they are transferred from a filling station to a closing station in a factory.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Heretofore, bags have been used for packing weightly products of various types, such as, for instance, concrete, plastic materials, chemical products, fertilizers, and the like. It is well known to present the open bags under the spout of dosing machine which drops a given weight of product into the bag. The filled bags, which are still open, are then removed and presented to another machine which closes them, for example, by a sewing or welding operation.

In conventionally known plants and apparatuses, the bags are presented to the sewing or welding machine either manually, or by means of a very expensive and coomplicated machine.

It is a primary object of the present invention to obviate such drawbacks and disadvantages attendant the prior art machines by providing a novel method and an inexpensive device which operates fully automatically to present filled bags to the closing machine in a correct way ad orientation of the bag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an apparatus for guiding and controlling a flexible container to be filled, and then moved to and properly presented to another apparatus for a subsequent operation. The apparatus comprises, in combination, a filling machine provided with a spout, and a pair of first means arranged adjacent to the spout and adapted to be disposed together with at least a portion of the spout into an aperture of the flexible container. Second means are operatively connected to the pair of first means for selectively causing the first means to move toward and away from each other. Third means are disposed beneath the pair of first means and adpated for engagement with a predetermined side of the flexible container. Fourth means are initially disposed adjacent the predetermined side of the flexible container and substantially opposite the third means, and are adapted to be selectively moved to a position adjacent a side of the flexible container which is substantially opposite to the predetermined side so that the flexible container may be pressed between the third means and the fourth means. Fifth means are operatively connected to the first, second and fourth means for automatically .controlling the motions of the fourth means in synchronism with the motions of the pair of first means. The aperture of the flexible container is moved and held to a desired open position for filling by the pair of first means, and the flexible container is held and guided between the third and fourth means while theflexible container is being moved toward the other apparatus for the subsequent operation.

The apparatus or device according to the present invention is intended to take flexible containers, such as bags, under the discharge spout of a dosing machine and to'then present them to a closing machine. The apparatus includes two rods or retractors, the downwardly directed ends of which are disposed on either side of the spout of the dosing machine so as to be able to fit together with the spout into the upper opening of an empty bag. There is also provided means for shifting the retractors horizontally, while bringing them cose to or away from each other. A fixed horizontal pressing device is disposed under the retractors in order to receive the rear side of the bag. A movable horizontal pressing device is disposed opposite the fixed pressing device, and is adapted to move with respect to the latter, first through a rocking motion about a horizontal axis until it is downwardly and substantially vertically directed, then through a translatory motion in a forward direction along the horizontal axis, and then through a reverse rocking motion about the horizontal axis whereby it is brought to a horizontal position but in front of the bag, and lastly through a rearwardly translatory motion along the horizontal axis to push the bag against the fixed pressing device. Means are also provided for automatically controlling the motions of the movable pressing device in synchronism with the motions of the retractors on the dosing machine. According to another feature of the present invention, the fixed and movable pressing devices are prolonged by two fixed bars or slides, between which the upper part of the bag is gripped, whereby the bag is held in position while being carried along towards the bag-closing machine.

In accordance with an additional feature of the present invention, the spout of the dosing machine includes two movable downwardly-converging shells which are adapted to open by moving away from each other after being fitted into the upper opening of the bag. Two fixed jaws are then provided which are disposed behind the rear shell and in front of the front shell, respectively. The shells press the upper edges of the bag against the fixed jaws during the filling and dosing operation. The bag is thus suspended during the filling thereof. The retractors are inserted within the plane which separates the two shells. At the end of the dosing operation, when the shells are brought closer to the spout, the filled-up bag drops down under its own weight while its upper part slides downwards between the two pressing devices which grip it and hold it in a correct position.

The present invention also provides a novel method of utilizing the aforementioned apparatus. The method comprises placing at least a portion of the pair of first means together with at least a portion of the spout into the aperture of the flexible container, and then selectively causing the first means to move toward and away from each other. The method also includesthe steps of engaging the third means with the predetermined side of the flexible container, and selectively moving the fourth means to a position adjacent a side of the flexible container which is substantially opposite to the predetermined side of the flexible container so that the flexible container may be pressed between the third means and the fourth means. The method also includes the step of automatically controlling the motions of the fourth means in synchronism with the motions of the pair of first means.

It is an object of the present invention to also provide a band conveyor to ensure the transfer of the filled-up bags, wherein the conveyor is disposed under the weighing station and leading to the bag-closing machine.

The means for controlling the retractors and the movable pressing device may be of any suitable type, such as pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical or electrical.

The present invention also contemplates improving the retractors by imparting to them, in addition, a downward motion to accompany the fall of the bag to facilitate the proper closing of the two folds in the bag. In the case of bags with lateral gussets, the two retractor rods may be replaced by two sets of three grips to do the three creases again on each side of the gusseted bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1 through 6 depict the successive operating steps of a handling device or apparatus and method embodying the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown two movable shells 1 and 2 which constitute the discharge spout of a filling machine or a weighing and dosing machine 3. The spout shells l and 2 are adapted to move away from or closer to each other by pivoting about the horizontal axes 4 and 5.

A pair of first means, such as two rods or retractors 6, each having a downwardly cranked end 7, are provided on either side of the lower portions of the shells 1 and 2 within the plane separating the shells l and 2.

Each retractor 6 is controlled by second means. such as a rotation mechanism 8, which is adapted to move the ends 7 closer to or away from each other, in a substantially horizontal direction which is indicated in FIG. 2 by the arrows 9. I

Two fixed jaws, such as a rear jaw 10 and a front jaw 11, are disposed on either side of the lower ends of the spout shells l and 2.

Below this assembly, there is disposed third means, such as a fixed horizontal pressing device 12. which is intended to lie behind a flexible container, such as a bag 13, during the operation and functioning of the apparatus. This behind or rear side of the bag 13 is referred to in the appended claims as the predetermined side of the flexible container.

Fourth means, such as a rigid rod 14, is provided in front of the fixed pressing device 12, and constitutes a movable pressing device. The movable pressing device 14 is integral with a strap 15 carried by a horizontal shaft 16 which is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the arrows 9 shown in FIG. 2. The shaft 16 is adapted to be rotatingly driven in either direction by a gear 17. The shaft 16 runs in a bearing 18 which is integral with an arm 19. The arm 19 is pivoted about a fixed pin 20. A double acting jack 2] takes its bearing on a fixed point 22, and controls the arm 19 to make the arm 19 rock forwardly or rearwardly about the pin 20 (see the arrow 23 illustrated in FIG. 2). The pin 20 is disposed substantially parallel to the horizontal direction of the arrows 9 illustrated in FIG. 2. The elements 15, I6, l7, 18, I9. 20. and 21 form part of fifth means which is operatively connected to said first, second and fourth means for automatically controlling the motions of the fourth means in synchronism with the motions of the pair of first means.

In prolongation or elongation of the fixed pressing device 12, a fixed bar or rear slide 24 is provided, in front of which a further fixed bar or slide 25 is disposed. With reference to FIG. 5, a bag 26, the upper end of which remains gripped in the required and desired position, can slide between the two bars 24 and 25. A band conveyor lies below the apparatus to receive the filled bags and convey them in the direction of the arrow 28 from the dosing machine 3 towards a known bag-closing machine 40 shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. FIG. I shows the bag-closing machine 40 in the form of a welding machine having two heating jaws 41 and 41a which run or slide transversely as indicated by the arrow 42.

The operation is performed as follows:

With reference to FIG. 1, an empty bag 13 is disposed between the movable shells l and 2 which are set close together and the fixed jaws l0 and 11. The front lip of the bag 13 is disposed between the shell I and the jaw 11, while the rear lip of the bag 13 lies between the shell 2 and the jaw 10. As the retractors 6 are in their rest or initial position, they are near the shells l and 2 and lie, therefore, inside the bag 13. The presentation and orientation of the bag 13 is effected by raising the bag 13, the bottom of which remains at a certain height 29 above the band conveyor 27.

It should be noted that the presentation of the empty bag 13 takes place in front of the two pressing devices 12. and 14.

With reference to FIG. 2, the two shells l and 2 are then moved away from each other whereby the top of the bag 13 is opened and pressed against the fixed jaws l0 and II, so that the filling of the bag 13 can commence. During that time, the movable pressing device 14- is rocked downwardly (note arrow 30 in FIG. 2) by the rotation of the shaft 16. Simultaneously, or subsequently, the jack 21 is extended to advance the movable pressing device 14 in the direction of the arrow 23, which is also shown in FIG. 2.

Then, the shaft 16 is rotated in the reverse direction to bring the movable pressing device 14 back to a horizontal position. but this time in front of the bag 13, as showni by arrow 31 in FIG. 3. At this moment, the two retractors 6 are moved away from each other. and their ends 7' come and stretch the upper opening of the bag 13, and keep it stretched during the following operational step. 7

Referring to FIG. 4, once the bag 13 is full, the thrust of the shells 1 and 2 against the fixed jaws 10 and 11 is released. The bag 13 then drops by its own weight onto the conveyor 27, as indicated by the arrow 32 in FIG. 4. During the fall of the bag I3 onto the conveyor 27, the retractors 6 keep the upper portion of the opening stretched. and the movable pressing device 14 comes nearer to the fixed pressing device 12 (as indicated by arrow 33 in FIG. 4), and compels the upper part of the bag I3 to slide between the pressing devices 12 and 14.

With reference to FIG. 5, as the conveyor 27 removes the filled bag 13 in the direction of the arrow 28, the upper part of the bag 13 slips progressively out of the pressing devices 12 and 14 to fit between the two fixed bars or slides 24 and 25 which is shown in FIG. 5 with respect to the bag 26. The pressing devices 12 and 14 are thus left back again in their initial position which is illustrated in FIG. 1.

A new cycle can then be started, as indicated in FIG. 6. It will be seen that it is possible to present a new bag 34 even before the preceding bag 13 is fully removed. The new cycle can thus be commenced as soon as the retractors 6 have gone back tto their initial positions, even before the preceding cycle is fully completed. This feature, together with the complete automation of the operation, makes it possible to obtain a very fast operating rate for the apparatus Obviously, it is possible to replace the members 15 through 22 by another system to control the drawing aside of the movable pressing device 14. Such motion could, for example, be by a sliding motion instead of a rocking motion. Conventional mechanisms could be used to accomplish such a sliding motion instead of a rocking motion.

While the above-described system, apparatus and method is indicated for use in connection with the filling and transporting of bags, it is equally applicable to any type of flexible container.

Although the invention has been shown and described in the foregoing in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it will be obvious that a latittude of modification, substitution and change is intended in the above disclosure. It is therefore appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

I claim: I v

1. An apparatus for guiding and controlling a flexible container to be filled, and then moved to and properly presented to another apparatus for a subsequent operation, comprising, in combination:

a filling machine machine provided with a spout;

a pair of first means arranged adjacent said spout and adapted to be disposed together with at least a portion of said spout into an aperture of said flexible container;

second means operatively connected to said pair of first means for selectively causing said first means to move toward and away from each other;

third means disposed beneath said pair of first means and adapted for engagement with a predetermined side of said flexible container;

fourth means initially disposed adjacent said predetermined side of aid flexible container and substantially opposite said third means, and adapted to be selectively moved to a position adjacent a side of said flexible container which is substantially opposite to said predetermined side so that said flexible container may be pressed between said third means and said fourth means; and

fifth means operatively connected to said first, secnd, and fourth means for automatically controlling the motions of said fourth means in synchronism with the motions of said pair of first means,

whereby said aperture of said flexible container is moved and held to a desired open position for filling by said pair of first means, and said flexible container is held and guided between said third and fourth means while said flexible container is being moved toward said other apparatus for said subsequent operation.

2. An apparatus characterized in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said flexible container comprises a bag;

said filling machine comprises a dosing machine;

said spout comprises the discharge spout of said dosing machine; 7

said other apparatus comprises a machine for closing lO closing machine;

said aperture of said flexible container comprises the upper opening of said bag;

said pair of first means includes two retractors provided with downwardly directed ends which are disposed on either side of said spout of said dosing machine so as to be able to fit together with said spout into said upper opening of an empty bag; said second means comprises means for shifting said retractorshorizoritally while bringing said retrac- ,tors selectively close to or away from each other;

said third means comprises a fixed horizontal pressing device which is disposed under said retractos in order to receive the rear side of said bag;

said fourth means comprises a movable horizontal pressing device disposed opposite said fixed horizontal pressing device, and adapted to move with respect to said fixed horizontal pressing device, first through a rocking motion about a horizontal axis until said movable pressing device is downwardly and substantially vertically directed, then through a forward translatory motion along said horizontal axis, then through a reverse rocking motion about said axis whereby it is brought back to a horizontal'position but in front of said bag, and lastly through a rearward translatory motion along said horizontal axis to push said bag back against said fixed pressing device; and

said fifth means comprises means for automatically controlling the motions of said movable pressing device in synchronism with the motions of said retractors.

3. An apparatus characterized in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said flexible container comprises a bag;

said other apparatus for said subsequent operation comprises a machine for closing said bag;

said third means comprises a fixed horizontal pressing device adapted to receive said predetermined side of said bag;

said fourth means comprises a movable horizontal pressing device disposed opposite said fixed horizontal pressing device and adapted to move with respect to said fixed horizontal pressing device; and

said fixed horizontal pressing device and said movable horizontal pressing device are prolonged by two fixed slides between which the upper portion of said bag is gripped, whereby said bag is held in position while it is being carried along towards said bag-closing machine.

4. an apparatus characterized in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said filling machine comprises a dosing machine;

said spout comprises a discharge spout of said dosing machine;

said flexible container comprises a bag;

said aperture of said flexible container comprises an upper opening of said bag; and

said discharge spout of said dosing machine includes two movable downwardly-converting shells which are adapted to open by moving away from each other after being fitted into said upper opening of said bag.

5. An apparatus characterized in accordance with claim 4, wherein:

said first means comprises two retractors provided with downwardly directed ends which are disposed on either side of said spout of said dosing machine so as to be able to fit together with said spout into said upper opening of an empty bag;

said movable downwardly converging shells include a front shell and a rear shell which are separated from each other;

and including two fixed jaws which are disposed behind said rear shell and in front of said front shell, respectively, said shells pressing the upper edges of said bag against said fixed jaws during the filling and dosing operation so that said bag remains suspended during the filling thereof, while said retractors fit into said upper opening of said bag within the plane separating the two shells of said spout.

6. An apparatus characterized in accordance with claim 2, including:

a weighing station;

and a band conveyor disposed under said weighing station, under the bottom of said bag, there being no contact between said conveyor and said bag during the dosing operation. 7. A method for guiding and controlling a flexible container to be filled, and then moved to and properly presented to another apparatus for a subsequent operation, comprising the steps of:

placing at least a portion of a pair of first means together with at least a portion of a spout into an aperture provided in said flexible container;

selectively causing said first means to move toward and away from each other in response to a second means;

engaging a predetermined side of said flexible container with a third means disposed beneath said first means;

selectively moving a fourth means initially disposed adjacent said predetermined side of said flexible container and substantially opposite said third means to a position adjacent a side of said flexible container which is substantially opposite to said predetermined side of said flexible container so that said flexible container may be pressed between said third means and said fourth means; and

automatically controlling the motions of said fourth means synchronism with the motions of said first means,

8. The method of claim 7 including the step of:

pressing the upper edges of said flexible container against a pair of fixed jaws which are. respectively, disposed behind two movable downwardlyconverging shells associated with said spout during the filling of the container so that said container remains suspended during the filling therof, and wherein:

when said shells are brought closer to each other and away from said fixed jaws, the filled-up container drops down under its own weight, while the upper portion of said container slides downwardly between said third and fourth means which grip it and hold it in a desired correct position and orientation.

9. The method of claim 8 which further includes:

accompanying the downward fall of said container to facilitate the proper closing of creases in said container with two retractors forming part of said first means, said two retractors provided with downwardly directed ends disposed on either side of said spout so as to be able to fit together with said spout into said aperture;

moving the fourth means about a horizontal axis until it is downwardly and substantially vertically directed, then moving said fourth means through a forward translatory motion taking place along said horizontal axis, moving said fourth means in the reverse direction about said horizontal axis to effect a return motion to thereby draw aside said fourth means. and wherein the control of said retractors and said fourth means is hydraulic, pheumatic, mechanical or electrical. 

1. An apparatus for guiding and controlling a flexible container to be filled, and then moved to and properly presented to another apparatus for a subsequent operation, comprising, in combination: a filling machine machine provided with a spout; a pair of first means arranged adjacent said spout and adapted to be disposed together with at least a portion of said spout into an aperture of said flexible container; second means operatively connected to said pair of first means for selectively causing said first means to move toward and away from each other; third means disposed beneath said pair of first means and adapted for engagement with a predetermined side of said flexible container; fourth means initially disposed adjacent said predetermined side of aid flexible container and substantially opposite said third means, and adapted to be selectively moved to a position adjacent a side of said flexible container which is substantially opposite to said predetermined side so that said flexible container may be pressed between said third means and said fourth means; and fifth means operatively connected to said first, second, and fourth means for automatically controlling the motions of said fourth means in synchronism with the motions of said pair of first means, whereby said aperture of said flexible container is moved and held to a desired open position for filling by said pair of first means, and said flexible container is held and guided between said third and fourth means while said flexible container is being moved toward said other apparatus for said subsequent operation.
 2. An apparatus characterized in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said flexible container comprises a bag; said filling machine comprises a dosing machine; said spout comprises the discharge spout of said dosing machine; said other apparatus comprises a machine for closing said bag; said first-mentioned apparatus takes said bag under said discharge spout of said dosing machine to present said bag in proper orientation to the bag-closing machine; said aperture of said flexible container comprises the upper opening of said bag; said pair of first means includes two retractors provided with downwardly directed ends which are disposed on either side of said spout of said dosing machine so as to be able to fit together with said spout into said upper opening of an empty bag; said second means comprises means for shifting said retractors horizontally while bringing said retractors selectively close to or away from each other; said third means comprises a fixed horizontal pressing device which is disposed under said retractos in order to receive the rear side of said bag; said fourth means comprises a movable horizontal pressing device disposed opposite said fixed horizontal pressing device, and adapted to move with respect to said fixed horizontal pressing device, first through a rocking motion about a horizontal axis until said movable pressing device is downwardly and substantially vertically directed, then through a forward translatory motion along said horizontal axis, then through a reverse rocking motion about said axis whereby it is brought back to a horizontal position but in front of said bag, and lastly through a rearward translatory motion along said horizontal axis to push said bag back against said fixed pressing device; and said fifth means comprises means for automatically controlling the motions of said movable pressing device in synchronism with the motions of said retractors.
 3. An apparatus characterized in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said flexible container comprises a bag; said other apparatuS for said subsequent operation comprises a machine for closing said bag; said third means comprises a fixed horizontal pressing device adapted to receive said predetermined side of said bag; said fourth means comprises a movable horizontal pressing device disposed opposite said fixed horizontal pressing device and adapted to move with respect to said fixed horizontal pressing device; and said fixed horizontal pressing device and said movable horizontal pressing device are prolonged by two fixed slides between which the upper portion of said bag is gripped, whereby said bag is held in position while it is being carried along towards said bag-closing machine.
 4. an apparatus characterized in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said filling machine comprises a dosing machine; said spout comprises a discharge spout of said dosing machine; said flexible container comprises a bag; said aperture of said flexible container comprises an upper opening of said bag; and said discharge spout of said dosing machine includes two movable downwardly-converting shells which are adapted to open by moving away from each other after being fitted into said upper opening of said bag.
 5. An apparatus characterized in accordance with claim 4, wherein: said first means comprises two retractors provided with downwardly directed ends which are disposed on either side of said spout of said dosing machine so as to be able to fit together with said spout into said upper opening of an empty bag; said movable downwardly converging shells include a front shell and a rear shell which are separated from each other; and including two fixed jaws which are disposed behind said rear shell and in front of said front shell, respectively, said shells pressing the upper edges of said bag against said fixed jaws during the filling and dosing operation so that said bag remains suspended during the filling thereof, while said retractors fit into said upper opening of said bag within the plane separating the two shells of said spout.
 6. An apparatus characterized in accordance with claim 2, including: a weighing station; and a band conveyor disposed under said weighing station, under the bottom of said bag, there being no contact between said conveyor and said bag during the dosing operation.
 7. A method for guiding and controlling a flexible container to be filled, and then moved to and properly presented to another apparatus for a subsequent operation, comprising the steps of: placing at least a portion of a pair of first means together with at least a portion of a spout into an aperture provided in said flexible container; selectively causing said first means to move toward and away from each other in response to a second means; engaging a predetermined side of said flexible container with a third means disposed beneath said first means; selectively moving a fourth means initially disposed adjacent said predetermined side of said flexible container and substantially opposite said third means to a position adjacent a side of said flexible container which is substantially opposite to said predetermined side of said flexible container so that said flexible container may be pressed between said third means and said fourth means; and automatically controlling the motions of said fourth means synchronism with the motions of said first means.
 8. The method of claim 7 including the step of: pressing the upper edges of said flexible container against a pair of fixed jaws which are, respectively, disposed behind two movable downwardly-converging shells associated with said spout during the filling of the container so that said container remains suspended during the filling therof, and wherein: when said shells are brought closer to each other and away from said fixed jaws, the filled-up container drops down under its own weight, while the upper portion of said container slides downwardly between said third and fOurth means which grip it and hold it in a desired correct position and orientation.
 9. The method of claim 8 which further includes: accompanying the downward fall of said container to facilitate the proper closing of creases in said container with two retractors forming part of said first means, said two retractors provided with downwardly directed ends disposed on either side of said spout so as to be able to fit together with said spout into said aperture; moving the fourth means about a horizontal axis until it is downwardly and substantially vertically directed, then moving said fourth means through a forward translatory motion taking place along said horizontal axis, moving said fourth means in the reverse direction about said horizontal axis to effect a return motion to thereby draw aside said fourth means, and wherein the control of said retractors and said fourth means is hydraulic, pheumatic, mechanical or electrical. 